March 14, 2018

St. Patrick’s Day vs. St. Valentine’s Day: Restaurants edition

St. Patrick’s Day is upon us, and as you know, we like to see how various industries perform on holidays throughout the year. Let’s take a look at restaurant sales to see who’s feeling the luck of the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.

St. Patrick’s Day vs. St. Valentine’s Day

When it comes to revenue at local, independent restaurants, St. Patrick’s Day ranks well above Valentine’s Day. St. Patrick’s Day is the 48th-best day for restaurants nation-wide, making it the 3rd-best holiday. Valentine’s Day is the 107th-best day for restaurant sales and only the 6th-best holiday.

In other words, St. Patrick’s Day has a bigger impact on restaurant sales than Valentine’s Day. Surprised? So were we.

As for increasing daily sales revenue, St. Patrick’s day wins again. Restaurants see a 37% increase to in total daily sales revenue on St. Patrick’s Day compared to the average day nationally. Valentine’s Day only boosts restaurants sales 18%.

Valentine’s Day wins when we look at the increase in the average ticket size, but not by much. On St. Patrick’s Day, the average ticket is perfectly average. Valentine’s Day sees a 14% bump, or $5 increase per ticket. And the overall number of transactions increase 38% more on St. Patrick’s Day, compared to Valentine’s Day’s slight 4% increase.

In short, St. Patrick’s Day is much better for bars and restaurants than most prominent holidays, and that includes Valentine’s Day. People may not be placing large orders, but with way more people enjoying a night out at their favorite local eatery, patrons make it one of the best days for bars and restaurants in the United States.

States that feel the luck of the Irish

#1 LOUISIANASurprisingly, Louisiana is the luckiest state on St. Patrick’s day. It’s the #3 best day of the year for restaurants.Louisiana eateries see a 60% increase in daily sales revenue compared to their average day. Transactions also jump 59%.

By contrast, Mardi Gras is the only #194 day of the year for Louisiana. Daily revenue takes a hit and drops 10% below average on the day of the big shindig. Restaurants do see a 14% increase in the number of transactions during Mardi Gras, but the average ticket size drops 25%.

#2 ARKANSASSt. Patrick’s Day is the 5th-best sales day of the entire year for restaurants in Arkansas. Daily revenue jumps 54%, transactions leap 49%, and the average ticket size goes up by 5%.

#3 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIAFor restaurants in Washington, D.C., St. Patrick’s day is also the 5th-best revenue day of the year. Eateries in the nation’s capitol see a 65% increase in daily revenue, a 44% increase in the number of transactions, and a 15% bump up in the average ticket size.

#4 MISSISSIPPIMississippi restaurants see a 58% increase in their daily revenue, a 48% increase in the number of transactions, and a 7% increase in the average ticket size on St. Patrick’s Day.

#5 NEVADASt. Patrick’s Day is the 8th-best day for restaurants in Nevada. They see a 48% increase in revenue, a 44% increase in the number of transactions, and a 4% increase in the average ticket price.

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#25 MASSACHUSETTSWhile Massachusetts isn’t in the top 5, 10, or even 20 states for St. Patrick’s Day restaurant revenue, it is the home to Boston, which is the Irish holiday’s American epicenter. So, how does the state fare? Results are mixed.

St. Patrick’s Day may only be the 61st-best day in Massachusetts, but local restaurants still benefit. Restaurants in Massachusetts see a 42% increase in daily revenue, a 38% increase in the number of transactions, and a 3% increase in their average ticket size.

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